It’s looking like center fielder Aaron Hicks is going to have a hard time being ready for Opening Day because he hasn’t played since March 1 due to a back issue that was supposed to be minor.

“Obviously we’re running out of time," Cashman said. "We’re going to do what’s right for us in the long haul, so I can’t say I’m optimistic he’ll be ready to go Opening Day.

"I think he’ll be healthy by Opening Day. It’s just will he have enough at-bats, defensive reps, conditioning in advance to make our comfort level in play to allow us to plug and play with him from day one? If we feel that it’s better to err on the side of caution and give him some extra time to go through a mini spring training, that’s the decision we have to make.”

ROTATION OPENINGS

Cashman says it’s “yet to be determined” who will be fill-in starters for Luis Severino and CC Sabathia at the start of the season even though Luis Cessa and Domingo German appear to be way ahead of Jonathan Loaisiga in a three-candidates-for-two-spots race.

According to Cashman, another option is to go with four starters early on and have a bullpen game at times until Sabathia makes his expected return around mid-April.

"Do we bullpen by committee at some point in the beginning of the season with the off days and utilize that?” Cashman said. “Do we pick between Cessa and German and Loaisiga, two of those three? Those questions have to be answered over the coming two weeks.”

SEVERINO’S TIMEFRAME

Cashman revealing Severino won’t be back at least until May wasn’t new news. The Yankees knew all along that Severino, best case, would be shut down for two weeks, then start spring training over and that would probably lead to the two-time All-Star being on the DL for all of April.

The Yankees will know more next Tuesday when Severino is reexamined. If his shoulder inflammation is gone, he’ll begin a throwing program, which starts with playing catch for a few days.

“He’s going to have to then start from scratch and have his spring training, so at the very earliest a May date you’re talking about,” Cashman said.

THE DEAL WITH WADE

Infielder/outfielder Tyler Wade seems to be in good shape to get an Opening Day roster spot because of his speed and versatility, but how the Yankees view his outfield play could determine who takes starting center fielder Aaron Hicks’ roster spot if the switch-hitter opens the season on the DL with a back injury.

According to Cashman, possibilities include keeping Wade and replacing Hicks with outfielder Clint Frazier, or keeping Wade and two first basemen. The Yanks also could keep Frazier, Voit and Bird, and farm out Wade.

“Am I comfortable with (Wade) in the outfield?” Cashman said. “The answer is yes. Am I comfortable with him being the fourth outfielder or do we need to carry more than just that, and is he the guy that’s going to be on the club? All to be determined still. We’re staying out of the way and letting them play and then we’ll assess who’s standing.”

WHO’S ON FIRST?

The Yanks aren’t sure if they’ll wait until the final days of spring training to make decisions on first basemen Greg Bird and Luke Voit.

They’d still prefer to name one the starter an option the other to Triple-A, but Hicks injury could lead to both being on the Opening Day roster.

“If we know what we’re going to do, we’ll try to determine it,” Cashman said. “And if Hicks is on the DL and it delays that official decision and you carry both, that’s a possibility.”

NOT DOWN ON TULOWITZKI

Cashman talked up shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who is hitting .217 in Grapefruit League play after going 0-for-1 with a strikeout and walk on Friday.

“We’re all in,” the GM said. “I think he’s been great defensively. He swung the bat well early, then there was a period of time of 12 at-bats where he didn’t swing the bat well. His timing was off. His last (few) games he’s swung the bat better. So he’s just getting his sea legs from under him and knocking the rust out and he is our shortstop.

“So I’m not going to apply anything different to him that I would apply to any other regulars that we’re committed to. It’s spring training and he’s a vet and he’s just getting himself ready.”

TAKE ON OPENERS

Cashman seems intrigued with using an reliever as an opener to pitch the first inning of games at times this season, but he’s also a little leery.

“The trick on that trade is make sure whenever you’re using them, you can match them up with off days and make sure that you have leverage guys available the next day,” Cashman said. “You’re trying to win that day’s game, but you’re trying to win the next day’s game, too. When you rob Peter to pay Paul, there’s a domino effect."

MICHAEL KING’S STATUS

One of the Yanks’ top pitching prospects, King is heathy and in a throwing program after being shut down on the first day of spring training with a stress fracture to his throwing elbow.

“He claims he feels good,” Cashman said.

A 23-year-old righty, King is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Yankees’ 12th-best prospect. He was 11-5 with a 1.79 ERA at three levels last season, including 4-0 with a 1.15 ERA in six Triple-A starts.